Guys (and Dani),
Carl's recent post, "It Must Be Summer" reminded me that I had not posted in a while.
Dave Diefendierfer's post on "stealing" two Poke Boats reminded me that I added a new vehicle for hunting, fishing and camping pursuits: a 2008 4Runner.
I have a 2002 two-wheel drive Tacoma and had a 2013 Honda CRV. CRV's are CRV's: comfort runabout vehicles. When I worked full time as a pastor I needed a vehicle that got good gas mileage in my travels. But now I'm retired.
I realized that here I live in Raleigh, 200 miles from some of the best surf fishing in America and beaches on which I can drive if I had the right vehicle, and no such vehicle in my fleet. The Tacoma I would keep. The CRV needed to go. My wife became aware that the amount of time I spent on Craigslist suddenly soared. "What are you looking for now?" she said. "Nothing honey," I said.
It is a good woman who knows you are up to something and allows your fib to not be labeled a lie.
I got bids on the CRV from Carmax, Carvana and another site. Carvana offered about $2,000 more than Carmax. You might keep that in mind if you are selling a car.
Selling the Honda went quickly. Finding a 4Runner took six weeks. I did not realize the degree to which used 4Runners are sought. Once I called three minutes after a 4Runner was posted and I was not the first to call. Once I was the first to call and someone else offered more than seller?s price. I had to get lucky or up my strategy.
I was also being picky. I had these qualifications:
1) Under 175,000 miles, no accidents and documented maintenance record. 4Runners frequently last 300-400,000 miles if taken care of.
2) No rust on the frame.
3) In very good to excellent condition and I preferred a fourth generation, 2002-2009, the generation in which Toyota moved to a timing change.
4) Not previously used off road a great deal or tricked out for off-road. (Those vehicles experience more damage and rough use.)
5) Within my price range.
Those qualifications severely limited my choices. Thus, it took me six weeks.
I had been looking exclusively on Craigslist, planning to avoid a dealer or used car lots and buy straight from an individual whom I could get a feel for how they took care of their property.
One day I added autotrader.com to my checklist and a 2008 4Runner appeared at a nearby Toyota dealer that was recently traded in. It was more money than I planned to spend but I went to check it out.
The sales manager called it a "unicorn," a term I did not know meant, "a rare find." As the pictures show, it was in great shape, had 135,000 miles, no rust on the frame, had been owned by one family who used this Toyota dealer for service.
I wasn't happy with the tires. They offered to split the cost on a set of Michelin Defenders.
I took it for a drive. It drove great. It had new brakes. Interior in excellent shape. 4 wheel high worked great.
4 wheel low did not engage.
I knew from my research that with 4Runners, if you don't engage the 4 wheel low once a month it can stop working. Permanently. The family who owned this vehicle never took it off road. The repair is very expensive: $2,000-$2,500!
The sales manager brought out their "4 wheel drive specialist" to try and get it to engage. No go.
I insisted that if they wanted me to buy the vehicle that they replace the accuator which I knew was a $1,000 part and $1,500 labor.
They surprised me. They agreed to split the cost on tires and replace the 4 wheel system at their cost. Later I wondered if they were hoping that someone would buy it without trying out 4 wheel low.
Due to part shortages, I had to wait two weeks to get my vehicle, but the wait was worth it.
I may not get any more ducks than before or catch more fish than before but I will certainly enjoy driving this impressive, solid vehicle. Now I see why the 4Runner enjoys such a strong reputation among outdoor enthusiasts. It is smooth riding while still a beast off road.
Peace to you all,
Larry
View attachment 0494CD2A-0513-481E-93C8-76EB30CED975.jpeg
View attachment 96F4FCB2-8FAD-4236-AF87-658310B1F9CF.jpeg
View attachment 97C84999-11A8-4648-9F55-86964BBD346E.jpeg
View attachment 6626C441-A94C-4F69-AA06-190A26E66CBF.jpeg
Carl's recent post, "It Must Be Summer" reminded me that I had not posted in a while.
Dave Diefendierfer's post on "stealing" two Poke Boats reminded me that I added a new vehicle for hunting, fishing and camping pursuits: a 2008 4Runner.
I have a 2002 two-wheel drive Tacoma and had a 2013 Honda CRV. CRV's are CRV's: comfort runabout vehicles. When I worked full time as a pastor I needed a vehicle that got good gas mileage in my travels. But now I'm retired.
I realized that here I live in Raleigh, 200 miles from some of the best surf fishing in America and beaches on which I can drive if I had the right vehicle, and no such vehicle in my fleet. The Tacoma I would keep. The CRV needed to go. My wife became aware that the amount of time I spent on Craigslist suddenly soared. "What are you looking for now?" she said. "Nothing honey," I said.
It is a good woman who knows you are up to something and allows your fib to not be labeled a lie.
I got bids on the CRV from Carmax, Carvana and another site. Carvana offered about $2,000 more than Carmax. You might keep that in mind if you are selling a car.
Selling the Honda went quickly. Finding a 4Runner took six weeks. I did not realize the degree to which used 4Runners are sought. Once I called three minutes after a 4Runner was posted and I was not the first to call. Once I was the first to call and someone else offered more than seller?s price. I had to get lucky or up my strategy.
I was also being picky. I had these qualifications:
1) Under 175,000 miles, no accidents and documented maintenance record. 4Runners frequently last 300-400,000 miles if taken care of.
2) No rust on the frame.
3) In very good to excellent condition and I preferred a fourth generation, 2002-2009, the generation in which Toyota moved to a timing change.
4) Not previously used off road a great deal or tricked out for off-road. (Those vehicles experience more damage and rough use.)
5) Within my price range.
Those qualifications severely limited my choices. Thus, it took me six weeks.
I had been looking exclusively on Craigslist, planning to avoid a dealer or used car lots and buy straight from an individual whom I could get a feel for how they took care of their property.
One day I added autotrader.com to my checklist and a 2008 4Runner appeared at a nearby Toyota dealer that was recently traded in. It was more money than I planned to spend but I went to check it out.
The sales manager called it a "unicorn," a term I did not know meant, "a rare find." As the pictures show, it was in great shape, had 135,000 miles, no rust on the frame, had been owned by one family who used this Toyota dealer for service.
I wasn't happy with the tires. They offered to split the cost on a set of Michelin Defenders.
I took it for a drive. It drove great. It had new brakes. Interior in excellent shape. 4 wheel high worked great.
4 wheel low did not engage.
I knew from my research that with 4Runners, if you don't engage the 4 wheel low once a month it can stop working. Permanently. The family who owned this vehicle never took it off road. The repair is very expensive: $2,000-$2,500!
The sales manager brought out their "4 wheel drive specialist" to try and get it to engage. No go.
I insisted that if they wanted me to buy the vehicle that they replace the accuator which I knew was a $1,000 part and $1,500 labor.
They surprised me. They agreed to split the cost on tires and replace the 4 wheel system at their cost. Later I wondered if they were hoping that someone would buy it without trying out 4 wheel low.
Due to part shortages, I had to wait two weeks to get my vehicle, but the wait was worth it.
I may not get any more ducks than before or catch more fish than before but I will certainly enjoy driving this impressive, solid vehicle. Now I see why the 4Runner enjoys such a strong reputation among outdoor enthusiasts. It is smooth riding while still a beast off road.
Peace to you all,
Larry
View attachment 0494CD2A-0513-481E-93C8-76EB30CED975.jpeg
View attachment 96F4FCB2-8FAD-4236-AF87-658310B1F9CF.jpeg
View attachment 97C84999-11A8-4648-9F55-86964BBD346E.jpeg
View attachment 6626C441-A94C-4F69-AA06-190A26E66CBF.jpeg
Last edited:
